The battle for the church of 2016 is not to defend the Bible, but to have the mind of Christ in all situations.
Jesus would go to where the sinners are, and He commanded the church to be fishers of people and go to where they are. We bring the Word Of God with us, when we live it out in front of them.
The church is not very wise today, because we do not understand the schemes of the evil one. Jesus told his church to go where the fish are, not to wait for them to come to you. If we go to where the people are we might be in places that make us uncomfortable or afraid. Sometimes to find a good fishing hole it will require a lot from us just to get there. It might be a place where no one has been before. It is easy to sit in our chairs at home or in church buildings expecting people to come to us. People will ask about our hope when they see us in places where they are but talking and acting differently.
We know there is a great persecution coming for the church, and we need to be wise. We must not fight the battles that the evil one wants us to fight as Christians. God has called us to go into areas and into places with the gospel. Has the church become like the people who condemned Jesus for eating and drinking with sinners just because He went where the fish are. Jesus did not sin at any time no matter where He was and who He was with. He simply saw opportunities to do the will of His Father in word and deed.
My prayer in 2016 is that I would be willing to go where the Lord wants to go with me and fish for men that He is drawing to Himself. This year I commit to praying for the church to be united with the mind of Christ and not caught unaware of the schemes of the evil one. I pray that we will become wise in knowing what we should fight against and how to fight with the power invested in us. I pray that we understand that our power can only come with being humble, unified in love, and know truth of God.
Philippians 2:5-11 NLT
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.